{"id":352131,"date":"2023-11-24T07:54:13","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T12:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rebellion-or-insurrection.html"},"modified":"2025-07-07T11:57:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T16:57:57","slug":"rebellion-or-insurrection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rebellion-or-insurrection.html","title":{"rendered":"Rebellion or Insurrection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rebellion or Insurrection<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The federal law against rebellion and insurrection is rarely invoked. Yet, this crime carries serious penalties.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The United States became a nation in an act of rebellion against the British Crown. After winning the Revolutionary War, it passed its own law prohibiting rebellion or insurrection.<\/p>\n

The following article provides an overview of the federal crime of rebellion and insurrection and how it differs from sedition and treason. If you need more direct help with a criminal case, ask a defense lawyer<\/a> for advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Can Someone Be Charged for Insurrection?<\/h2>\n

Yes. Federal law prohibits rebellion and insurrection through 18 U.S.C. Section 2383<\/a>. The law prohibits incitement, assistance, and participation in a rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States and its laws.<\/p>\n

The punishment for this crime includes a fine, up to 10 years in federal prison, and ineligibility for federal public office.<\/p>\n

Legal Definitions of Rebellion and Insurrection<\/h2>\n

Rebellion and insurrection refer specifically to acts of violence against the state or its officers. Yet, the federal statute doesn’t explicitly define these terms further.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For example, Merriam-Webster defines these terms as follows:<\/p>\n